WASHINGTON DC (WAOW) -
In June 1950, Roger Schulrud of Wausau and Billy Fergot of Edgar enlisted in the United States military. They went to boot camp together and then parted ways, fighting in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
62 years later they were reunited by surprise on the eighth flying of the Never Forgotten Honor Flight in Washington, D.C.
"We went to Great Lakes boot camp 62 years ago and after boot camp, he went one way and I went another" Fergot told Newsline 9.
The Never Forgotten Honor Flight is a non-profit organization flying veterans of World War II and the Korean War to Washington, D.C. The group gives veterans the chance to see the memorials built in their honor at no cost to them.
On the May 7th flight, 89 veterans took part in the flight to the nation's capital.
"I said where's the roster of everybody coming on the honor flight? See if I know anybody" Schulrud said.
And one name jumped out above all the rest; Billy Fergot of Edgar.
"So I started looking for him" Schulrud said with a smile.
"When I first saw him I didn't recognize him" Fergot said recalling their encounter. "I mean 62 years is a long time and he's a lot older and so am I. But as soon as he mentioned my name, then it registered. It was Roger" he continued.
After more than a half century apart, Schulrud and Fergot had reunited, sharing a once-in-a lifetime experience in the company of an old friend.
